Many of you viewed and commented on my recent post "Is This a Cooper's Hawk?" about a week ago, with the final verdict (seemingly) being that the bird I photographed was an immature broad-winged hawk. Here is the previous thread for reference: https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/617111
I returned to the same spot where I found that hawk today, and found what I am pretty sure was the same bird, taking lots of pictures. This, time, however, she erased any doubts about her identity by calling loudly and repeatedly, making it clear that she is, in fact, an immature RED-SHOULDERED HAWK!
Here are a couple of pictures of her as she posed for me.
OK, at this point, you may be asking yourself how I am so sure this is a female, and what did I mean by titling this thread "Friends With Benefits"? Well, here is what happened next. This hawk flew to a nearby tree and was sitting by herself, when all of a sudden an adult male Red-shouldered Hawk showed up and the following ensued, I was just astonished!
WOW Chris. You got it!!!! What an amazing photo opportunity. You know I'll be sending this on to my friend Larry. After all, Larry correctly id'ed it as a Red-shouldered hawk.
Got to wonder just how immature she is if she's out doing this.
Oh, I just showed my husband & he thinks your shots are great.
Talk about being in the right place at the right time! The fact that you were able to follow up with such sharp and detailed shots is another story...
Thanks for the great series
Feb 24, 2008 at 10:54 PM
anthony whitmo Offline • • • • • • Upload & Sell: Off
Kewl Post Chris !! Great story and glad you finally got your Positive bird I.D.
As for the photos, well they're great. Good job with Fabulous color and detail !! You did a great job of Photographing "The Act"
Only a few seconds huh.............. Well I guess it's good to be human
Amazing shots and talk about positive ID!!! Jusy goes to show you even the experts can't always tell. There are so many variations in these birds. Great detective work and images Chris.
Once in a lifetime set! You do understand that now you'll need to find the nest and document the conclusion of the event you captured! What a wonderful opportunity! Steve W
Lil Judd wrote:
WOW Chris. You got it!!!! What an amazing photo opportunity. You know I'll be sending this on to my friend Larry. After all, Larry correctly id'ed it as a Red-shouldered hawk.
Got to wonder just how immature she is if she's out doing this.
Oh, I just showed my husband & he thinks your shots are great.
Congratulations....
Lil
Thanks Lil, and please thank Larry for me for the correct identification. I was so glad that she was still around and I got another opportunity to photograph her, and then of course the mating just left me dumbfounded. Hopefully I will keep finding this hawk as the year goes on ...
timgriffin wrote:
Talk about being in the right place at the right time! The fact that you were able to follow up with such sharp and detailed shots is another story...
Thanks for the great series
Thanks for the comments, Tim. This was nothing but total dumb luck on my part, but of course I am not complaining!
anthony whitmo wrote:
Kewl Post Chris !! Great story and glad you finally got your Positive bird I.D.
As for the photos, well they're great. Good job with Fabulous color and detail !! You did a great job of Photographing "The Act"
Only a few seconds huh.............. Well I guess it's good to be human
Wonderful post
Thanks for the comments! In terms of the length of time, I went back to the time stamps on my pictures -- from the first frame to the last the total elapsed time was 15 seconds, during which I took roughly 30 exposures. The 15 seconds included not only "the act," but also the two hawks sitting next to each other for a couple of seconds afterward, but unfortunately the male's head was partially behind a branch, so those didn't look so great. I moved a little to try to get a clear shot of both of them, and that was his cue to fly away...
Laura Hughes wrote:
Amazing shots and talk about positive ID!!! Jusy goes to show you even the experts can't always tell. There are so many variations in these birds. Great detective work and images Chris.
Thanks Laura, and thanks for your help with the ID a week ago. This is a place that is overrun with red-shoulders, plus it would be unusual to have a broad-winged in Atlanta at this time of year, so the ID really makes sense.
I am not sure I would call this "detective work" -- the immature female was calling a lot yesterday, so it was really easy to follow her around and get set up for pictures -- all I did was follow my ears!
alameda wrote:
Once in a lifetime set! You do understand that now you'll need to find the nest and document the conclusion of the event you captured! What a wonderful opportunity! Steve W
Thanks Steve. These were shot in a tree in a parking lot of an office park, and two very dedicated birders work in the building next door. The area as a whole is very popular with Atlanta area birders, so there is every chance for someone to find the nest and tell me where it is! I've got my fingers crossed!
Thanks, Keith. I could not have been luckier, I had the camera literally pointed at her and the focus already set when the male just flew up and landed on her! I couldn't believe it!
